Asbestos & Black Mold a Problem at University of Cincinnati

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Asbestos, Black Mold a Problem at Ohio College Campus

May 19, 2009

At Morgens Hall on the University of Cincinnati campus, students are

concerned about ongoing asbestos and mold issues plaguing the building.

Both black mold and asbestos are highly toxic, and can cause severe

respiratory problems. Asbestos is known to cause deadly medical

conditions such as asbestosis or mesothelioma.

Asbestosis, a chronic scarring of the lungs, has been known to kill in

some cases, as the disease can lead to respiratory failure.

Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is aggressive, and linked almost

exclusively to asbestos exposure.

Students at the university are now worried that both current and

former residents of Morgens Hall may be at risk for developing these

conditions.

Despite being notified of the issues almost immediately after they

were discovered, the university has yet to respond to the reports.

The university is required by law to respond to the situation by

notifying all previous residents who could be affected by the toxic

mold.

“Unfortunately, no one from Housing and Food Services, or any other

UC office, has contacted me about this,†said Peggy -Baker, a

former resident of Morgens Hall. “To my knowledge, past residents still

have not been informed of this, nor have we even received a statement

that actually confirms that mold is or was found in Morgens.â€

The U.S. Military reported on the dangers of black mold, which

contains a chemical called trichothecene mycotoxin. Trichothecene

mycotoxin “causes multiogran effects, including emesis and diarrhea,

weight loss, nervous disorders [and] cardiovascular alterations,â€

stated the report.

The month of May is, in some states, Toxic Injury Awareness and

Education month. With that in mind, alumni and current students at the

University of Cincinnati are hoping that they will receive a formal

notification from university officials regarding this matter.

Students, past and present, who would like more information may call

the university’s Office of the President at 513-556-2201, or the

Environmental Health and Safety Office at 513-383-3242.

http://www.maacenter.org/news/asbestos-black-mold-a-problem-at-ohio-college-camp\

us.html